Harvesters are employed effectively in level to moderately steep terrain for clear-cutting areas of forest. For very steep hills or for removing individual trees, humans working with chain saws are still preferred in some countries. In northern Europe small and maneuverable harvesters are used for thinning operations, manual felling is typically only used in extreme conditions, where tree size exceeds the capacity of the harvester head or by small woodlot owners.
The principle aimed for in mechanised logging is "no feet on the forest floor", and the harvester and forwarder allow this to be achieved. Keeping humans inside the driving cab of the machine provides a safer and more comfortable working environment for industrial scale logging.
Harvesters are built on a robust all terrain vehicle, either wheeled or tracked. The vehicle may be articulated to provide tight turning capability around obstacles. A diesel engine provides power for both the vehicle and the harvesting mechanism through hydraulic drive. An extensible, articulated boom, similar to that on an excavator, reaches out from the vehicle to carry the harvester head. Some harvesters are adaptations of excavators with a new harvester head, while others are purpose-built vehicles.
"Combi" machines are available which combine the felling capability of a harvester with the load-carrying capability of a forwarder, allowing a single operator and machine to fell, process and transport trees. These novel type of vehicles are only competitive in operations with short distances to the landing.
Komatsu
Wheeled Harvesters:
901.4Click here for specifications.901 TXClick here for specifications.911.4Click here for specifications.931Click here for specifications.941.1Click here for specifications.
Tracked Harvesters:
415 FXClick here for specifications.430 FXClick here for specifications.445 FXLClick here for specifications.450 FXLClick here for specifications.FX 10Click here for specifications.Caterpillar The 550 Wheel Harvester features engineered versatility that provides solid footing and level working conditions in extreme forestry conditions.
* Gross Power,
197 hp
147 kW
* Reach - max,
27 ft
8.23 m
* Operating Weight - Est,
47040 lb
Wheeled Harvesters:
550Click here for specifications.
Equipped with dependable Cat engines, load sensing hydraulics, and factory installed attachments, Caterpillar Track Harvesters offer the perfect solution for any cut-to-length application.
* Gross Power,
157 hp
117 kW
to
305 hp
227.4 kW
* Max Reach w/ Head,
21 ft
6.4 m
to
37 ft
11.3 m
* Operating Weight w/o Head,
35000 lb
15900 kg
to
75900 lb
Tracked Harvesters:
501Click here for specifications.511Click here for specifications.521Click here for specifications.522Click here for specifications.532Click here for specifications.541Click here for specifications.551Click here for specifications.552Click here for specifications.
John Deere
John Deere harvesters give you mobility with big-tree strength, and work productively in both dense stands and final fellings, as well as on the hillside. You have the choice of tracked or wheeled machines. No matter what model you go with, you can expect a comfortable work environment, easy maintenance, efficiency, and many productive days of work.
Wheeled Harvesters:
770DClick here for specifications.1070D
Click here for specifications.1270DClick here for specifications.1470DClick here for specifications.1490DClick here for specifications.Tracked Harvesters:
703JHClick here for specifications.753JHClick here for specifications.759JHClick here for specifications.853JHClick here for specifications.903JHClick here for specifications.909JHClick here for specifications.